Instagram's color options depend on your phone's settings, not Instagram itself
Instagram does not have a built-in color picker or theme tool. What you can change is your phone's overall appearance — dark mode, light mode, or auto-switching — and Instagram will follow that setting. If you want Instagram to look different from how it does now, you are adjusting your device's display settings, not Instagram's own options.
The app respects your phone's system-wide theme preference. On both iPhone and Android, you control whether apps appear in dark mode (dark backgrounds, light text) or light mode (light backgrounds, dark text). Instagram adapts to whichever you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Instagram's appearance changes when you switch your phone between dark mode and light mode in system settings.
- On iPhone, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and choose Dark, Light, or Auto to control how Instagram looks.
- On Android, open Settings > Display > Dark Theme and toggle it on or off depending on your preference.
- The Auto option on both phones switches between dark and light mode based on the time of day.
- Instagram itself has no separate color or theme settings — the app only follows your device's system preference.
How to enable dark mode on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone. Tap Display & Brightness near the top of the menu. You will see three options: Light, Dark, and Automatic.
Tap Dark to switch Instagram and all other apps to dark mode when ready. The background will turn dark gray or black, and text will turn white or light gray. Tap Light to return to the standard light appearance. Tap Automatic if you want your phone to switch to dark mode at sunset and back to light mode at sunrise — this happens without you having to do anything.
How to enable dark mode on Android
Open the Settings app. Scroll down and tap Display or Display and Brightness (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Look for an option called Dark Theme or Dark Mode and toggle it on. Instagram will switch to dark mode right away.
Some Android phones also offer a Scheduled Dark Theme option in the same menu. If you see this, you can set a time for dark mode to turn on and off automatically — for example, 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. This works the same way as iPhone's Automatic setting.
What dark mode and light mode actually change
Dark mode makes the Instagram feed, your profile, and all menus use dark backgrounds with light text. Stories, Reels, and photos themselves do not change — only the interface around them. The dark background reduces eye strain in low-light environments and uses less battery on phones with OLED screens.
Light mode keeps the standard white or light gray backgrounds with dark text. This is easier to read in bright sunlight. Switching between them does not affect your photos, followers, or any content you have posted — it only changes how the app looks on your screen.
Why Instagram does not have its own color settings
Instagram follows your phone's system theme to keep the app consistent with everything else on your device. If your phone is in dark mode, your text messages, email, calendar, and every other app switch to dark mode too. Instagram does the same thing rather than offering separate controls.
This design choice means you cannot make Instagram dark while keeping your phone light, or vice versa. The app respects your device's preference entirely. If you want Instagram to look different, you change your phone's display settings, and Instagram updates automatically.
Troubleshooting if Instagram is not following your phone's theme
If you switched your phone to dark mode but Instagram is still light (or the opposite), close and reopen the Instagram app. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to pick up the new system setting.
If that does not work, restart your phone. This forces all apps to recognize the theme change. On iPhone, hold the power button and slide to power off, then turn it back on. On Android, hold the power button, tap Power Off or Restart, and wait for the phone to restart.
If Instagram still does not match your phone's theme after a restart, check that you actually changed the system setting and not just a per-app setting. Go back to your phone's main Display settings (not Instagram's own settings) and confirm dark mode or light mode is selected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Instagram dark while keeping the rest of my phone light?
No. Instagram does not have its own color settings separate from your phone's system theme. If you want Instagram dark, your entire phone switches to dark mode. Some Android phones let you set dark mode for individual apps, but Instagram ignores those per-app settings and follows the system-wide preference instead.
Does dark mode on Instagram save battery?
Dark mode saves battery on phones with OLED screens (most newer iPhones and high-end Android phones) because black pixels use less power than white ones. On phones with LCD screens, dark mode makes little difference to battery life. Either way, the battery savings come from your phone's display, not from Instagram itself.
Will changing to dark mode affect my photos or posts?
No. Dark mode and light mode only change how the Instagram interface looks — the menus, buttons, and background. Your photos, videos, Stories, and all content you have posted stay exactly the same. Other people see your posts the same way regardless of what theme you use.
What if my phone does not have a dark mode option?
Older phones may not support dark mode. iPhones running iOS 12 or earlier and Android phones running Android 9 or earlier do not have system-wide dark mode. If your phone is very old, you cannot change Instagram's appearance through system settings. Upgrading your phone is the only way to access dark mode.
Does Instagram have a separate app theme I can change?
No. Instagram has no theme, color, or appearance settings within the app itself. The only way to change how Instagram looks is through your phone's system display settings. Any color or theme changes you make happen at the device level, not within Instagram.